alexander



A. M. ALEXANDER.

GEAHING.

APPLICATION FILEDAPR. 17, |918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. M. ALEXANDER.

GEARING.

APPLICATI-ON FILED APR. I7, 1918- Patented June 15, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

f Snom/Hof H- IVI HLEXHNDER,

akku 1 wg UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

ANDREW M. ALEXANDER, OF NORTONVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR F ONE-IIALF T0ElVIOT P. ALEXANDER, 0F DAWSON SPRINGS, KENTUCKY.

GEARING. l

Sped-mation cf letters Patent.

Patented J une 15, 1920.

Application filed April 17, 1918. Serial No. 229,091.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, ANDREW M. ALEXAN- v Dini, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Nortonville, in the county of Hopkins and State ofKentucky/n have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gearing,of which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying1 drawings.

rlhis invention relates to certain improvements in gearing and it is anobject of the invention to provide a d evice of this general characterhaving novel and improved means whereby it may be employed for amultiplicity of purposes.

It is also an objea't of the invention to provide a gearing which isprovided with novel and improved means whereby the di- 4 .rection oftravel of a driven element may be readily and conveniently reversed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a machine providedwith a supporting frame for ground working elements and which frame isarranged for movement in a vertical plane together with novel andimproved means whereby said frame may be raised and wherein themechanism for raising the frame is embodied in the structure forreversing the direction of travel of the machine.

The invention i'onsists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved gearingwhereby certain importantl advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

rFlic novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention maybe the better understood7 l will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying dawings, wherein r Figure l is a longituftlinal vertical sectional viewtaken through an agricultural machine embodying a gearing constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 52-2of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 8of Fig. l 3

Fig. 4L is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of theforward end of the machine as herein disclosed;-

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in top plan illustrating certain featuresof the reversing mechanism and the winding drum as herein included; andY! Fig. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of thestructure disclosed in Fig. 5, the section being taken substantially onthe line G-- of Fig. 5. i

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings F denotes a verticallydisposed front frame preferably rectangular' in form and which has themembers thereof preferably formed of U-beams. Suitably secured as at 'lto one of the side or vertical members 2 of the frame F is a bearing orblock 3 and slidably engaged with a second side member 2 of the frame Fis a bearing or block l which is adapted to be moved in a manner whichis to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. The blocks 3 and 4lare substantially of duplicate construction. and each of said blocks isprovided with a vertically disposed recess 5 open at its lower end andwhich has slidably disposed therein the upstanding arm (3. lnterposedbetween the inner or upper end of the arm 6 and the base of the recess 5is an expansible member 7 of desired i in and which is herein disclosedas a conventional coil spring. The lower end of the arm 6 is providedwith an outstanding spindle 8 upon which is rotatively mounted asteering wheel S. A

The spindles S are provided with the rearwardly directed spindle arms 9which are connected by the steering rod R pivotally engaged therewith.Upon endwise movement being imparted to the rod R, the wheels S will beswung laterally to effect the desired steering operation.

The members l substantially midway thereof are provided with theinwardly directed guide brackets l0 through which are loosely directedthe side members ll of the U-shaped frame it. The base or interveningportion l2 of the frame A rests upon the spring lil herein disclosed ofa semi-elliptical type and which is suitably anchored as at l5 to thelower strip 16 of the frame F.

The upper end portion of each of the side members ll of the frame A isprovided with the rearwardly'and downwardly directed beam or member 17which has its lower portion continued by the substantially hori-Zontally disposed beam 18 engaged at its rear end with the axle 19;

The axle 19 intermediate the beams 1S has mounted thereon a pair oftraction wheels 2i) of a conventional type and which are spaced aparttransversely of the machine so that when desired the tongue of a moweror other agricultural machine may be suitably coupled to the axle 19,.

The rear portion ot' each ot' the beams .LS is continued by an upwardlyandj rearward-ly inclined beam 21. The upper end portions of the beams21 are ronnected by the transverse member 22. The beams 17 adjacenttheir uppery or forward ends are also connected by the transverselydisposed member or beam 23.

24: denotes a vertically disposedarm pivotally connected substantiallymidway its length with the` beam 2?) for swingingV movement in adirection transversely otl the machine and the lower endportion otthearm 24 is provided with the extension or iinger 25 loosely disposedthrough the opening 26 produced in the steering. rod Rf midway thereof.By this means it wil-l be at once seit-evident that the desired steeringmovement may be imparted to the wheels S. upon requisite rocking ot thearm 241.-. 'll he upper portion ot the arm Q4; is provided with anarcuate rack 27 in mesh with a geary 2S carried by the sha1-'t 29. Theshatt 29 exten-ls longitudinally ot the machine and terminates adjacentthe rear thereof. The shaft 29 is also supported by a bearing 30 carriedby the beam 22 and by a bearing 3l carried by a cross member 3Qsupported by the top side beams 33. The side beams il?) are supported bythe upper portions ot the beams 17 and 21 and interposed between thebeams 1S and is an intermediate beam 34; also supported by the beams 1Tand 21.. rfhe rear end portion ot the shaft 251* is provided with asteering wheel 35 which is proj/ ierly rotated by the operator when itis desired to et'fect a steering operation.

The bearing 41 is provided' with an upstanding rack 3G having in meshtlnxrewith a gear 87 carried by the shatt 38. The shaft extendslongitudinally of the machine and is rotatably supported tbereb-, in anydesired manner and the rear poi n ot the shaft 38 is provided with ahaml wheel 2li). By rotating the shaft 38 in the desired direction, thebearing el. may be adjusted vertically relative to the -.trame F so thatthe body et the machine proper may be maintained in substantially ahorizontal plane irrespective ot the character of the surface over whichthe machine may travel and particularly whenvsaid surf ce is disposedupon a slope. Thesprings 5 and let hereinbe'tore referred to` serve to.absorb the shocks and jars ineident to the` travel et the machine andthe springs 5 further serve to permit the wheels S to have slightindependent vertical movement to compensate for any slight irregularities or unevenness ot the surface over which the machine istraveling.

Rotatably supported by the beams 1S adacent the forward ends thereof isthe transversely disposed shaft 40. Provided intel'- mediate the beams1S is a pair ot oppositely directed cranks 41 with which are operativelyengaged the driving rods i2 oi the motor M. The motor M is preferably oian internal combustion type and tor this reason l provide the frame Fwith a tank T to contain a suitable supply oit Huid tuel. rl`he motor Mas herein disclosed is supported by a transversely disposed beam lilsuitably secured to the lower portion ot the beams 1i.

Opposite ends of the shagi't i()V extend outwardly of the beams 1S andsaid extended portions have suitably secured thereto the balance wheelsest. Also fixed to the shait l0 adjacent the inner t aces of the beams18 are the gear wheels t5 in mesh with the larger gear wheels +113carried` by the transversely disposed counterslnitt LT also rotatablysupported by the beams 1S and at a point rear fardly ot the shaft tilThe shaft adjacent the gears 413 is provided with tho smaller gears 4Smeshing with the larger gears 19 fixed to the opposite end jwitioiis otthe transversely disposed shaft 50 rotatably supported by the beams il`at a point rearwardly et the shaft 4G.

The shaft 50V at a point substantially midway between the beams 3lhasailiXed thereto a materially large gear wheel 51 with which is adaptedto be engaged the gear The gear 552V is slidably mounted upon` the drillshat't 5?. but keyed to rotate therewith. 'l`he shaft 5?5 is rotatablysupported by the beams Sil and reacts in a conventional manner with theseed hoppers H. Coat-,ting with the hub 5a ot the gear 52 is a rock arm55 carried by the forward end of the shaft 56 rotatably supportedby thetransverse member 5T resting upon the beams 33 and by the beam 22. Therear portion ot the sha tt 56 is provided with a, controlling handle ormember 5T" whereby the requisite rocking movennnt may be imparted to thearm 55 to throw the gear 52 intoor out ot mesh with the gear` 5 l. Eachof the` hoppers lib is provided with a supporting. member 58 whichoverlies an end portion of the member 5T and is secured thereto in aconventional manner by the bolts 5f). By removing one ot the bolts 5S)the hopper ll may be .readily swung inwardl7 when not in use. To`further maintain the hoppers llV in operative position l employ thebrace members (Si) suitably secured to the lower portions or shoesthe-:eel5 and to the outstanding ears ($1 carriedby the beams 341-.

llotatably supported b v the beams LS and at a point in advance et thesha ft 50 is the shaft GQ having aflixed adjacent each end thereof thegears 63 and Gel. Meshing with CII the inner gears 64 are the smallergears 65 carried by the shaft 50. Rearwardly of the shaft 62 the bealns18 support another transversely disposed shaft 66. Slidably engaged withthe opposite end portions of the shaft 66 but keyed to rotate therewithare the sleeves 67. The outer end portions of the sleeves 67 areprovided with the gears 68 adapted to mesh with the gears 68 and theinner end portions of the sleeves 67 are provided with the smaller gears69. The shaft 66 is also provided at each end portion with a sprocket 70around which is directed the chain 71 also disposed around a largersprocket 72 fixed to the wheel 20.

When the gears 68 and4 68 are in mesh the motor M will cause the wheels20 to rotate in a `direction to move the machine forward. rl`he ratio ofthe various gears is such as to materially reduce the speed of thewheels 20 relative to the shaft 40. In practice it has been found bestto employ a motor causingthe shaft 40 to rotate substantially 600 R. P.M. with the gears coacting therewith to reduce the speed of the wheels20 to substantially 25 R. P. M. so that the machine will not travelfaster than an ordinary walking gait.

Swingingly supported by the shaft 50 for movement 1n a vertical plane isa frame B extending rearwardly of the axle 50 and r0- tatably supportinga shaft 7 8 having affixed thereto the gears 74 which are adapted tomesh7 when the frame B is lowered, with r the gears 64 and 69 when thesleeves 67 have been moved inwardly to disengage the gears 68 from thegears 63. When in this last arrangement it will be perceived that thecoaction between the gears 64, 74, and 69 will result in the reverserotation of the shaft 66 resulting in a reverse movement of the machine.In practice it is essential that the sleeves 67 move in unison but inreverse directions longitudinally of the shaft 66 and as hereindisclosed I employ an elongated lever 7 5 pivotally engaged at itsforward end with a sleeve 76 loosely mounted on the shaft 62 and whichis also pivotally connected as at 77 with a sleeve 67. A rock lever 78pivotally supported as at 7 9 intermediate its length has one endportion operatively engaged as at 80 with the second sleeve 67 while theopposite or inner end portion of the lever 78 is pivotally engaged withthe link 81. The link 81 is also pivotally engaged with the lever at apoint rearwardly of the shaft 66. The lever 75 is supported for swingingmovement transversely of the machine and as is clearly indicated by Fig.1 it will'be perceived that upon the swinging movement of the lever 75in one direction, the sleeves 67 will be moved in unison, but in reversedirections longitudinally of the shaft 66. The outer end portion of thelever 75 is provided with a latch mechanism 82 of a conventional typeand which coacts with the holding rack 83 supported in any desiredmanner by the body of the machine.

The rear end portions of the beams 18 are provided with the outwardlydirected boxes 84 and loosely disposed through each of the boxes 84 andin a direction longitudinally of the machine is a rod 85 having its rearend portion provided with a perforate head 86. Fixed to the rod 85within the box 84 is an enlargment 87. Interposed between theenlargement 87 and the rear end of the box 84 is an expansible member 88herein disclosed as a conventional coil spring encircling the rod. rl`hemember 88 serves to constantly urge the rod 85 rearwardly whereby thesame is capable of limited yielding movement.

Pivotally engaged with the heads 86 are the side arms 89 of thesubstantially U- shaped frame C. rlhe frame C extends rearwardly of thebeams 21 and has operatively engaged therewith a suitable ground workingmember or members M and herein disclosed as a plow of a conventionaltype. T he beams 21 are connected at a point substantially midwaythereof by a rod 90 hav ing secured thereto an end portion of a chain 91which is disposed downwardly and around a sprocket wheel 92 suitablysecured at the rear portion of the frame C. The chain 91 then extendsupwardly and passes over a sprocket 98 fixed to a second rod 94supported by the beams 21 above the rod 90. The chain 91 is thenextended forwardly and secured to a winding drum D. Upon rotation of thedrum D in one direction the frame C will be elevated and the groundworking member or members rendered in. operative. As herein disclosedthe frame C may be maintained elevated through the medium of a dog 95engaging a ratchet 96 carried by an end portion of the druml D and whichserves to hold the drum against retrograde movement. The vdog 95 may bethrown into an inoperative position in any desired manner but preferablythrough the medium of a rod 97 or the like. rlhe drum D is looselymounted upon a shaft 98 rotatably supported by a pair of parallelmembers 99 maintained in proper position by the rods 100 carried by thebeams 83. The ends of the shaft 98 are provided with the gears 101 inmesh with the gears 102 carried by the upper end portions of. thedownwardly and forwardly inclined shafts 108 supported by the members99. The lower end portions of the shafts 103 are provided with the bevelgears 104 adapted to mesh with the bevel gears 105 carried by the gears7 4 when the frame B is in its lowered position. Mounted in aconventional manner upon the shaft 98 is a clutch member 106 coactingwith an end of the drum D. The member 106 is thrown into or out ofoperative position in a conventional manner through the medium of themember 107. Vith the clutch 106 engaged with the drum D and the frame Bin its lowered position it will be at once self-evident that uponinitial reverse movement of the machine the frame C will bev elevated.By this arrangement it will be self-evident that the initial rearwardmovement of the machine will cause the proper release of the groundworking member M from the soil so that the raising or elevating'of theframe C is as-V sured. After the frame C has been properly elevated itis only necessary to disengage the clutch member 106 from the drum D andthe frame C will be maintained elevated through the medium of the'coacting dog 95 and ratchet 96 hereinbefore referred to. lVhen it isdesired to lower the frame C the same will fall by gravity upondisengaging the dog 95 from the ratchet 96.

Supported by the beams 33 and. substantially directly above the shaft 50is a transverse member 108 and supported, by said member for rockingmovement in a vertical plane is` a bell crank lever Lha-ving arearwardly directed arm 109 operatively connected through the medium ofthe link 110 with the frame B. Operatively engaged with the verticallydisposed. arm 111 of the bell crank lever is an operating rod 112 undercontrol of the lever 11.4. By` proper manipulation of the leverl 11a theframe B may be raised or lowered in accordance with the requirements ofpractice.

E denotes the seat structure suitably supported by the body of the frameand extending rearwardly thereofl and which is so positioned as topermit the occupant thereof to rreadily operate the various parts of themachine for controlling the same. The body of the machine is alsoprovided with the rearwardly directed members 115 which may grasped bythe operator should he'prefer to follow the machine as a pedestrian andin which event the seat structure E is thrown into an inoperativeposition.

It is to be understood that a suitable housing may be employed inconnection with my machine as herein disclosed for inclosing the variousoperating parts so that said parts will be effectively protected againstdust or other foreign substance which would otherwise have a tendency tointerfere or hinder the operation of the machine. However as this isonly incidental it is not believed that an illustration thereof isnecessary.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that agearing constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly welladapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which itmay beassembled and operated and it will also, be obvious that myinventionisA susT ceptible of some change and modification withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: v

1. In combination with a driving elcment, a driven shaft operativelyconnected with the driving element, a pair of gears carried by the thedriven shaft, a second shaft, a pair of gears rotating with the secondshaft and movable in unison longitudinally of said second shaft, one'ofsaid last named pair of gears meshing with one of the first named pairof gears when the last named pair of gears is in one position, and agear mountedl for movement toward or from the driven shaft, said lastnamed gear in one position meshing with the second gear of both pairs ofgears when the second pair of gears is in a second position.

2. In combination with a driving element, a driven shaft operativelyconnected with the driving element, a pair of gears carried by thedriven shaft, a second shaft, a pair of gears rotating with the secondshaft and movable in unison longitudinal of said sccond shaft, one ofsaid last named pairs of gears meshing with one of the first named pairof gears when the last named pair of gears is in one position, a framemounted for swinging moveinent toward and from the driven shaft and thesecond shaft, means for imparting swinging movement to said frame, and agear rotatively supported by the frame and meshing with the second gearof both pairs of gears when the second pair of gears is in a secondposition.

3. In combination with a driving element, a driven shaft operativelyconnected with the driving element, a pair of gears carried by thedriven shaft, a second shaft, a pair of gears rotating with the secondshaft and movable in unison longitudinal of said second shaft, one ofsaid last named pairs of gears meshing with one of the first named pairof gears when the last named pair of gears is in one position, and agear mounted for movement toward or from the driven shaft, said lastnamed gear in one position meshing with the second gear of both pairs ofgears when the second pair of gears is in a second position, and asecond driven shaft operatively engaged with said last named gear whenin such position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

ANDREW M. ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

S. T. AsHMoN, J ori-N R. CoUsLnR.

